Weather Radar Polarimetry

This book presents the fundamentals of polarimetric radar remote sensing through understanding wave scattering and propagation in geophysical media filled with hydrometers and other objects. The text characterizes the physical, statistical, and electromagnetic properties of hydrometers and establishes the relations between radar observables and physical state parameters. It introduces advanced remote sensing techniques (such as polarimetric phased array radar) and retrieval methods for physical parameters. The book also illustrates applications of polarimetric radar measurements in hydrometer classification, particle size distribution retrievals, microphysical parameterization, and weather quantification and forecast.

IntroductionHistorical developmentObjectives and organization of the bookCharacterization of HydrometeorsPhysical and statistical propertiesElectromagnetic propertiesWave Scattering by a Single ParticleWave and electromagnetic waveScattering fundamentalsRayleigh scatteringMie scattering theory Scattering calculations by a non-spherical particle Scattering for arbitrary orientations Scattering and Propagation in Cloud and PrecipitationScattering modelsSingle scattering modelCoherent wave propagationPropagation-included scatteringRadar Measurements and Improvement of Data QualityPolarimetric weather radar system and equationRegular estimation of polarimetric radar variablesMulti-lag correlation estimatorsClutter detectionClutter mitigationApplications in Weather Observation and Quantification Observation of polarimetric radar signaturesHydrometeor classificationQuantitative precipitation estimation (QPE) Drop size distribution retrievalAttenuation correctionAdvanced Methods and Optimal RetrievalsSimultaneous attenuation correction and DSD retrievalStatistical retrieval of rain DSDsVariational retrievalOptimal retrieval through data assimilation (DA)Phased Array Radar PolarimetryBackground and challengesFormulation for planar polarimetric phased array radarCylindrical polarimetric phased array radar

Guifu Zhangis Professor of Meteorology at University of Oklahoma School of Meteorology.